Travelling the globe is one of the things I love the most, and my favourite thing to do, wherever I go, is walk the streets and discover what is true to the locals. Far from spending the day around a swimming pool whilst sucking on Margaritas ( ... I of course do enjoy Margaritas!!). Learning how others live and interact in their homes and community is my favourite activity when away, roaming the streets and discovering the life the locals have, the food they eat and their habits and customs.
James 'looking around' in Pula, Croatia
Even though I get so greatly inspired, there are sometimes things that cannot be duplicated as certain qualities might often simply be local, like light, smells, or the unique atmosphere ... In fact, no pizza tastes better than the one you eat in Naples, (is it the pizza, is it the piazza?) and the scuffed façades or Florence's palazzi look perfectly charming there, but would appear unsightly and in need of a repaint in Australia. So, every time I travel I bring back something quite unique, that may be able to remind me of that rich experience, usually a piece of art, or an item of décor or design, not necessarily expensive, but always individual to that place and its identity. Yet, I don't want you to think I see overseas' beauty as better than the Australian. As you’d know by now, I’m indeed a great fan and supporter of Australian Designers and Australian Product, and I invite you to look around you, wherever you live, as every town, big or small has its local makers and producers, and these need our support to keep coming forward with products of quality and unique beauty.
The Story Of Things is a project that offers Australian products of Design to the local and international markets. Born out of the commitment of three very creative minds, this is a one-stop shop which brings together unique stories of Australian design and its creators.
In the true Australian spirit, from every purchase The Story Of Things donates $1 to ASRC (Asylum Seekers Resource Centre), and I invite you to peruse their beautiful range of products and support the Australian Makers they represent.
I do love travelling, yet I'm always proud of this amazing country of ours, its dramatic landscapes, its multiculturalism and the unique creativity and skills of our makers. Importantly, even when international trends come to influence our creativity, Australian Designers offer products that are tailored to fit with the needs and taste of Australian buyers, suited to how we live and enjoy our homes. I do what I can to support Australian Designers, and you can too.
James Treble is an ambassador for Planet Ark and firmly believes in sensible purchasing, recycling and creative re-purposing. James has 3 decades of accumulated experience in the Building Industry, Real Estate and Interior Design and regularly shares his knowledge and experience in adding value to homes through clever design & styling. Watch his free videos on YouTube, and follow him on Facebook and Instagram for more free information.
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